Does anyone realize how amazing Deborah Samson was?
She was born in 1760 and was the oldest of six children. When she was young, her father went out to sea and abandoned his family. To help her family, Deborah became an indentured servent from age 8 to age 17.
In 1778, Deborah wanted to enlist in the army as a continental soldier. Since she was tall for a woman at that time (5'7"). She successfully joined in 1782, inlisting under the name of her deceased brother, Robert Samson.
During her first battle (July 3, 1782) she was wounded, recieving two bullets in her leg and an enormous cut on her forehead. Despite her protests, her fellow soldiers refused to abandon her and took her to the hospital. Doctors treated the wound, but Deborah left the hospital before they could attend the wound in her leg, in fear of being discovered. She removed the bullets herself with a sewing needle.
After a peace treaty was signed, everyone thought that America's war for independence was over. However, on June 24, George Washington ordered a fleet of soldiers to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to aid in putting down a rebellion of several American officers.
During the summer of 1783, Samson came down with malignant fever and was cared for by a doctor, Barnabas Binney. He removed her clothes to treat her and discovered that she was a woman. He did not betray her, though. Instead took her to his house, where his wife and daughters housed and took care of her.
After Samson recovered, she returned to the army, but not for long. In September 1783, peace was assured through the signing of the Treaty of Paris. November 3 was the date for the soldiers to be sent home. When Dr. Binney asked her to deliver a note to General John Paterson, she thought that her secret was out. However, General Henry Knox never uttered a word; instead, she received an honorable discharge from the service, a note with some words of advice, and a sum of money sufficient to cover her expenses home.
On October 25, 1783, General Knox honorably discharged her from the Army at West Point, after a year and a half of service.
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